Angiographic evidence of absent ductus arteriosus in severe right ventricular outflow obstruction

The angiocardiograms of 5 newborn infants with autopsy and/or surgically-proven congenital absence of the ductus arteriosus (ADA) and right ventricular outflow obstruction (Group A), and of 14 neonates with pulmonary atresia complex and patent ductus arteriosus (Group B) were reviewed. Aortic size was similar in both groups; however, the diameters of the right and left pulmonary arteries were much smaller in Group A than in Group B (right pulmonary artery: 2.6 vs 4.5 mm, P less than 0.005; left pulmonary artery: 2.5 vs 4.3 mm, P less than 0.005). Extensive bronchial collaterals were observed in Group A but not in Group B. Tricuspid aortic valve stenosis was present in 2 patients in Group A but in none in Group B. The diagnosis of ADA may be made in newborn infants with severe right ventricular outflow obstruction if the angiocardiograms reveal hypoplasia of the pulmonary arteries, extensive bronchial collaterals, and nonvisualization of the ductus arteriosus. Other suggestive features include aortic valve stenosis and/or right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery.